Date of Birth: July 27, 1927
Date of Death: January 15, 2026
The family of Doris Rusnak of Yorkton, beloved wife of the late Michael Rusnak, sadly announce her passing on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Doris was 98 years of age.
Doris Eleanor Rusnak was born July 22, 1927, to Roy and Annie (nee Larson) Davidson. She was the third of three children born in the Naicam District of Saskatchewan where her
parents farmed with her mother’s brother, Sigurd Hogan. Anne used her father’s last name, whereas some of her brothers took the farm name from Norway as their last name.
Doris attended grades 1 to 9 in Pinkham and then they moved to Colville for Grades 10 and 11. The family eventually moved to the homestead in the Insinger district where she attended school in Theodore for Grade 12. Doris met the love of her life, Michael, at a fastball tournament in Theodore in 1946 when they jumped into a car together to get out of the rain, she was 19 at the time and they got engaged on her 21st birthday on July 22, 1948. They married on Oct. 24, 1948, a bond that lasted 71 years.
Their first home was on the farm in the Insinger district which had no running water or indoor plumbing. Wayne and Joann both lived in the farmhouse before Doris and Michael moved to Yorkton in 1954, where David was born. Doris was Michael’s secretary and social convener for many of the years he worked with Mutual Life and its successors. They worked as a team with Doris running the household and ensuring there was always meals ready when Michael brought a client home unexpectedly for dinner or supper. Doris’s tradition of having everything necessary to serve a beautiful meal continued throughout her life and included friends of her children, grandchildren, and finally great-grandchildren. All were greeted with open arms and a friendly smile. Doris was also Michael’s farmhand, hauling grain, picking rocks, making lunches and anything else that needed to be done until the boys got big enough to help out during their active years of farming.
Doris was an avid church goer and dedicated countless hours to the Presbyterian Church and later when the family joined Westview United, she participated in the choir, fall suppers, funerals and many other events in support of the church.
Doris’s life after Michael’s passing in 2019 continued at Yorkton Crossing where she was presented with an award for her generosity in sharing her talents of growing flowers and doing crafts with all other residences at the facility. She was loved by all that encountered her. Doris’s care for her older brother, Arnold, which continued throughout their adult life was perhaps the basis of her compassion for others. This was a characteristic that shone through her lifetime with family, friends and strangers, all who felt her immediate warmth when they interacted with her. She was able to instill this philosophy through her actions in others.
Doris is survived by 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, having lost great-grandson Grayson at the young age of 9-½ months. Doris was predeceased by all members of her and Michael’s siblings and spouses; Doris’s siblings, Lynos aka Dave (Margaret) Davidson and Arnold aka Busty Davidson. Michael’s brother, Nick (Ruth) Rusnak, Bill (Fae) Rusnak, and John (Olga) Rusnak, Michael’s sisters, Mary (Wasyl aka Bill) Koshman, Ann (Nick) Kopan, Kay (Steve) Hnatiuk, Sophie (Steve) Husulak, Margaret (Dave) Davidson, Iris (Wasyl aka Bill) Rusnak and Michael’s kid sister Olga Rusnak.
Doris was the ever-present wife and mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that made the Rusnak household run with precision and ease. She never lost her love for her family and continued to express it right up to the last hours of her life. She will be truly missed. She had 98-½ years with her family spending countless hours both working and playing with all members leaving opportunity for memories to be forged that will never be forgotten.
Doris leaves her three children and their families; son Wayne (Diane) Rusnak, their four children; Lee (Jodie) Rusnak, Emma, Ali, Ty; Brett (Claudia); Lara (Shawn) Veroba, Dylan and Bryn; Todd (Kim) Rusnak, Holt, Cozie, and Gigi; daughter Joann (Barry) Zapshalla, their three children; Jake (Britainy) Zapshalla, William, Katie; Brock, and Logan; son David (Laurie Anne) Rusnak, their three children; Christopher (Beth Farmer) Rusnak; Janna Lee (Justin) Yawney, Isla, Maddux; Cassandra (Cameron) Rieger, Elliahna, Grayson (pre-deceased), Avalynn, and Jameson. In addition, Doris leaves numerous nieces, nephews and greats that she had a very close relationship with.
Visitation was held on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 from the Chapel of Bailey’s Funeral Home and from Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. from Westview United Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Doris Rusnak may be made to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Cancer Research Foundation of Canada, or to Westview United Church Backpack for Kids Program as gifts of remembrance. Messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com
